February 06, 2021

Where to find Detroit artist Charles McGee’s bold works of art in Michigan

By Metro Times Staff

Charles McGee, a groundbreaking Black Detroit artist, died this week at age 96, but he lives on in the vibrant sculptures, murals, and other works that can be found throughout the city. You can read more about McGee’s life and work here. 

Scroll down to view images
“Unity” 28 W. Grand River Ave., Detroit In 2017, a towering 118-foot tall black-and-white mural designed by McGee was painted on the side of 28 W. Grand River Ave. in Detroit’s Capitol Park neighborhood. The painting, which incorporated representational elements like a snake and a bird, was realized by Kelly Golden and Jordan Zielke of the Golden Sign Co., and debuted alongside a sprawling retrospective exhibition of McGee’s work by Library Street Collective, spanning more than 70 years. Photo by Sal Rodriguez

“Unity”

28 W. Grand River Ave., Detroit

In 2017, a towering 118-foot tall black-and-white mural designed by McGee was painted on the side of 28 W. Grand River Ave. in Detroit’s Capitol Park neighborhood. The painting, which incorporated representational elements like a snake and a bird, was realized by Kelly Golden and Jordan Zielke of the Golden Sign Co., and debuted alongside a sprawling retrospective exhibition of McGee’s work by Library Street Collective, spanning more than 70 years.

Photo by Sal Rodriguez
“United We Stand” Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History; 315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit; 313-494-580; thewright.org Unveiled in 2016, the black-and-white 20-foot-tall sculpture “United We Stand” marks the 50th anniversary of the 1967 civil disturbance in Detroit. Photo by Chuck Andersen, Flickr Creative Commons

“United We Stand”

Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History; 315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit; 313-494-580; thewright.org

Unveiled in 2016, the black-and-white 20-foot-tall sculpture “United We Stand” marks the 50th anniversary of the 1967 civil disturbance in Detroit.

Photo by Chuck Andersen, Flickr Creative Commons
“Freedom Bound” Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History; 315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit; 313-494-580; thewright.org This colorful work hangs in the rotunda of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Photo by Lee DeVito

“Freedom Bound”

Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History; 315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit; 313-494-580; thewright.org

This colorful work hangs in the rotunda of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

Photo by Lee DeVito
“Playscape II” Marygrove Conservancy; 8425 W. McNichols Rd., Detroit; 313-751-5100; marygroveconservancy.org/ Located at the corner of McNichols and Wyoming, across the street from McGee's longtime studio, this sculpture was dedicated in 2016. Photo by Kelley O'Neill

“Playscape II”

Marygrove Conservancy; 8425 W. McNichols Rd., Detroit; 313-751-5100; marygroveconservancy.org/

Located at the corner of McNichols and Wyoming, across the street from McGee's longtime studio, this sculpture was dedicated in 2016.

Photo by Kelley O'Neill
Untitled mural Detroit Foundation Hotel; 250 W. Larned St., Detroit; 313-800-5500; detroitfoundationhotel.com Completed in 1974 on the former Pontchartrain Wine Cellars (now the Detroit Foundation Hotel) as part of a public works project, this colorful, geometric mural was restored in 2019 with the help of muralist Hubert Massey. Photo courtesy of the Detroit Foundation Hotel

Untitled mural

Detroit Foundation Hotel; 250 W. Larned St., Detroit; 313-800-5500; detroitfoundationhotel.com

Completed in 1974 on the former Pontchartrain Wine Cellars (now the Detroit Foundation Hotel) as part of a public works project, this colorful, geometric mural was restored in 2019 with the help of muralist Hubert Massey.

Photo courtesy of the Detroit Foundation Hotel
“Noah’s Ark: Genesis” Detroit Institute of Arts; 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-7900; dia.org This 1984 enamel and mixed media work on masonite incorporates human and animal figures, including a snake and a cat. Photo by Zak Frieling

“Noah’s Ark: Genesis”

Detroit Institute of Arts; 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-7900; dia.org

This 1984 enamel and mixed media work on masonite incorporates human and animal figures, including a snake and a cat.

Photo by Zak Frieling
“Spectral Rhythms” Detroit Institute of Arts; 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-7900; dia.org Completed in the early 1970s, the acrylic painting depicts fields of gradient colors. Photo by Zak Frieling

“Spectral Rhythms”

Detroit Institute of Arts; 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-7900; dia.org

Completed in the early 1970s, the acrylic painting depicts fields of gradient colors.

Photo by Zak Frieling
“Spirit Renewal” Horace H. Rackham Educational Memorial Building; Farnsworth St. and John R Rd., Detroit This 22-foot-long sculpture was unveiled in 2011 as part of the Art X festival. Photo by Zak Frieling

“Spirit Renewal”

Horace H. Rackham Educational Memorial Building; Farnsworth St. and John R Rd., Detroit

This 22-foot-long sculpture was unveiled in 2011 as part of the Art X festival.

Photo by Zak Frieling
“The Blue Nile” Detroit People Mover Broadway station; 1441 W. Broadway at John R; thepeoplemover.com Completed in 1987 as part of an “Art in the Stations” public works project for Detroit’s People Mover elevated train system, this painting depicts an African version of Noah’s Ark. Photo by Lee DeVito

“The Blue Nile”

Detroit People Mover Broadway station; 1441 W. Broadway at John R; thepeoplemover.com

Completed in 1987 as part of an “Art in the Stations” public works project for Detroit’s People Mover elevated train system, this painting depicts an African version of Noah’s Ark.

Photo by Lee DeVito
“Regeneration” Henry Ford Hospital; 313-916-2600; henryford.com Completed in 2007, this piece hangs in Detroit's Henry Ford Hospital. Photo courtesy of Henry Ford Health System photographer Ray Manning

“Regeneration”

Henry Ford Hospital; 313-916-2600; henryford.com

Completed in 2007, this piece hangs in Detroit's Henry Ford Hospital.

Photo courtesy of Henry Ford Health System photographer Ray Manning

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